Happy new you: Bloggers share their skin care resolutions

Whitney Coy is a freelance writer and editor based in Columbus, OH, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She writes frequently for SheKnows, as well as several other websites. She writes on topics including parenting, trav...

Get skin that shines

It's a new year, and it's time for a new you! Start your new look with an amped up skin care regimen — it's an easy change that will make a big difference!

It's time to start taking your skin care seriously, ladies.

"If you want to look more beautiful, take care of your skin," said Tammy Gibson of A Mom in Red High Heels. "The bottom line is you have to have a beautiful canvas to radiate beauty."

Fortunately for you, there's no better time than the new year to get started.

"Last year, I made a New Year's resolution that I was putting my skin on my priority list," said Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations. "I'm 35 years old and I really knew it was time to take care of my skin. I eat healthy and I work out — it's time to give my skin the same attention."

Cleansing is key

One of the first steps in skin care is one that's most often overlooked.

Blogger Laurie Leopold of 312 Beauty urges her readers to wash their faces every night. "On a basic level, it's the first step in proper skin care," she said. "On another level, there's something very therapeutic at the end of a busy day to wash it all off — to get rid of the day's stress and allow your skin to heal itself and recoup while you sleep."

Diana Fiero of eye4style feels just as strongly. "Always cleanse. No excuses. No exceptions. Your skin is a living, breathing part of you and falling asleep in your makeup is an absolute skin sin," she said.

Anti-aging regimen

Blogger Kara Endres of Sprinkles in Springs reminds us that it's never too early to work an anti-aging regimen into our skin care routine. "This year, one of the things I'm focusing on is keeping a consistent skin care routine. It's super important as we get older, so starting to incorporate these good habits will pay off in the long run," she says.

Danielle Smith of Extraordinary Mommy sees her skin care resolution as a way to make up for lost time. "It could be that I am now 'over 40.' Or it could be that I really and truly enjoyed my younger years in sunny California. Either way, there are many, many things I see when I look in the mirror and while many of them reflect the wisdom I think I've earned these past 40 years, I prefer the age spots and wrinkles weren't quite so visible," she said. "I know I can't reverse the aging process entirely, but I do know there are things I can do to take care of my skin the way I should have been doing all along."

Blogger Ashley Robertson of The Teacher Diva was also thinking about anti-aging when she made her skin care resolution. According to Robertson, the products you choose have a big impact on your results. "Establishing a consistent skin care routine is an investment in your skin. The aging process will be much kinder if you consistently utilize the right products," she said. Read her latest post to find out some of her faves!

Picking your products

The sheer amount of beauty products available is enough to take your breath away and trying to actually pick one of those items can be nearly impossible. Lianne Farbes of The Makeup Girl feels your pain — and she has a bit of advice.

"The easiest way to get started is by jumping in head first. There are so many options out there and if you are looking to try something new, look no further than the ubiquitous starter kit," she said. "These kits offer a 'try before you buy' scenario so you can try the skin care first before you commit to buying a full size of the products. You can also find out what products in a specific regimen work for you and what doesn't."